CWU LIVE – Tonight at 7pm – General Election, Network Changes in Royal Mail and more

Dear Members 

The latest episode of CWU Live will be broadcast tonight at 7pm and our special guest, Senior Deputy General Secretary Tony Kearns will cover the latest developments as we run into next week’s general election. 

We will also have updates on the Royal Mail network changes, horizon scandal and a report from last week’s BAME reps meeting at CWU HQ. 

It’s going to be a brilliant show. 

Tune in at 7pm tonight or watch via catch up at your own leisure via this link https://youtu.be/3QslXMF_hIk?si=I6Dg8Kd55dg2X_d5

See you there. 

Chris Webb
Head of Communications

Royal Mail/CWU National Trial Covering Short Notice/Odd Days Leave Requests

Attached for the information of Branches, Representatives and members is a Terms of Reference covering trial activity on the ability to access Annual Leave at short notice and for odd days.

The difficulties faced by many members across all operational functions to secure short notice and odd days leave has been well documented and continues to remain a deeply frustrating issue. In line with wider commitments set out in the Business Recovery, Transformation and Growth (BRT&G) Agreement, we have been in discussions with Royal Mail on this issue. These talks have now concluded with the attached Terms of Reference which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive.

To confirm, this trial activity is aimed at improving access to short notice and odd days leave requests and is not designed in any way to seek to reduce overall leave ceilings within a unit or location. It is also agreed that as part of the trial all up to date annual leave plans will be displayed within the unit/location, as this will aim to aid in terms of granting leave wherever possible and will further assist in responding to individuals requesting leave at the earliest opportunity. The trial activity also includes the ceasing of the current process, whereby individuals who have had a request for annual leave refused, are then granted unpaid leave for the same dates.

The normal safeguards on joint involvement have been agreed, including the full involvement of

the reps within the units included in this trial activity. They will also be involved in the review of the

trial activity through their feedback of how the process worked for them and what impact it had on

improving annual leave locally.

When the trial has concluded the joint evaluation will include the following:

• Short notice / ad hoc annual leave approach has acted as an effective method of reviewing (approved or rejected) short notice / ad hoc annual leave requests;
• Volume of requests for short notice / ad hoc annual leave approved / rejected have:
• Positively impacted sick absence;
• Reduced special leave or urgent domestic distress absences;
• Met universal service obligation (USO) requirements;
• Not impacted on colleague earnings and attendance patterns;
• Trial has not replaced / been used to circumvent the attendance procedure.

The units involved in the trial activity are listed below:Processing Units Delivery UnitsROD South Central – Southampton MCROD Greater London – South TottenhamROD Yorkshire – Sheffield MCROD Yorkshire – GooleROD Greater London – Jubilee MCROD NI & Northeast – RedcarROD South Midlands – South Midlands MCROD NI & Northeast – Wear ValleyROD Northwest – WarringtonDistribution Units ROD Scotland – FalkirkMidland HubROD South Central – Oxford EastYorkshire Distribution CentreROD Wales – Rhy

We believe this trial and its outlined aims to try and improve members’ access and ability to take short

notice and odd days leave will be welcomed by members and representatives alike, as this sadly remains a consistently raised and reported issue within the workplace.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: sbanbury@cwu.org quoting reference: 703.01

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary

LTB 224.24 – RM CWU National Trial Covering Short Notice Odd Days Leave Requests

TOR Short Notice Odd Days Annual Leave(1)

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IDS (RMG) TAKEOVER BID

As expected, the formal takeover offer from EP Group for IDS (RMG) has been published today.

The offer document contains more detailed information and the CWU has engaged expert acquisition lawyers to assist us in looking at all aspects of the offer, particularly how the bid is being financed.

The union has also written to all individual members (letter in print) with a comprehensive update on the takeover bid, providing members with relevant information on the process and explaining how we are dealing with the overall situation and its impact on our members and the future of the company.

Following a number of enquiries, we would ask you to convey to our members that the union is not in a position to recommend on a financial basis, one way or the other, how CWU shareholder members should vote on the offer.  This is a matter for each individual shareholder.

However, the letter to members will set out very clearly, in line with our conference policy, the overall position of the CWU with regard to the takeover bid.

To summarise, we do not believe it’s right for an overseas equity investor to own RMG in its entirety, we are also equally clear that we cannot support the current Board, whose actions have seriously damaged Royal Mail and the workforce.  Moreover, we do not believe the current Board have any meaningful strategy to get the workforce back onboard and grow the business.  This is why CWU is calling for a new model of ownership, a separate agreement on stronger protections and guarantees for the workforce and a complete overhaul of Royal Mail’s governance and managerial structure – to give the workforce and customers a greater say over the future direction of the company.

The letter to members also explains that renationalisation is our ultimate goal, whilst being honest and upfront that it is highly unlikely in the current political and economic environment.  Furthermore, that it is our duty to engage with the bidders and deal with the circumstances we are facing here and now.

Further discussions will take place with EP Group and they have agreed that we will meet Daniel Kretinsky after the General Election.

We will also continue to discuss this matter with the Labour Party – who hopefully will form the next government – on the implementation of the commitments they have made in the Manifesto.  This is also set out in our letter to members.

Finally, given there are still significant hurdles for EP Group to overcome, irrespective of the shareholder vote, we are confident there will be opportunities to influence the outcome of this bid in a way that protects and strengthens the interests of our members.

An advance copy of the letter, which should land on Monday, will be sent to Branches at the end of the week.

Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to the GS Department jdunn@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary  

Martin Walsh   
Deputy General Secretary (P)

LTB IDS (RMG) TAKEOVER BID

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Election of National Representative Positions – 2024

• Postal Standing Orders Committee
• Telecoms & Financial Services Standing Orders Committee

Further to LTB 175/24 at the close of nominations the following have been received.

Postal SOC  (7 Members at least 2 delegates must be women & at least 1 delegate must be BAME)             John GabyLondon Phoenix*ElectedScott HaslamLeeds No 1 Amal*ElectedPaddy MagillNorth Lancs & Cumbria*ElectedSharon PrattSouth West No 7*ElectedTony SneddonScotland No 5*ElectedJulia  WestSouth Yorks & District Amal*Elected

Telecom SOC (7 Members at least 2 delegates must be women & at least 1 delegate must be BAME)         Ahmed KasuMidland Counties, Capital, Edinburgh Dundee & Borders, Glasgow & Motherwell, Midland No 1, Northern Ireland Telecom, North Anglia, North East, Meridian,  Scotland No 1*Elected 

(BAME Criteria)Samantha AdeyosoyeEdinburgh, Dundee & Borders ,Capital, Glasgow & Motherwell, Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Mid Wales, The Marches & Nth Staffs, Midland Counties,  Midland No 1, Northern Ireland Telecom, North Anglia,  North East,  North Wales & Chester Combined,  Scotland No 1, Tyne & Wear Clerical, West Yorkshire BALLOT REQUIREDCraig AndersonScotland No 1, Capital, Edinburgh Dundee & Borders, Glasgow & Motherwell, Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Meridian, Mid Wales, The Marches & Nth Staffs , Midland Counties, Midland No 1, Northern Ireland Telecom, North East, North Anglia, North Wales & Chester Combined, South London, Surrey & North Hampshire, Tyne & Wear Clerical, West Yorkshire John BallardGreater London Combined, Central Counties & Thames Valley, Meridian, South East Anglia, South East Central, South London Surrey & North Hampshire Jacky MorreyMid Wales, The Marches & Nth Staffs, Capital, Edinburgh Dundee & Borders, Glasgow & Motherwell, Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Midland Counties,  Meridian, Midland No 1, Northern Ireland Telecom, North Anglia,  North East, North Wales & Chester Combined, Scotland No 1,  Tyne & Wear Clerical, West Yorkshire Darren RobertsCapital, Edinburgh Dundee & Borders, Glasgow & Motherwell, Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Meridian, Mid Wales, The Marches & Nth Staffs, Midland Counties, Midland No 1, Northern Ireland Telecom,  North Anglia, North East, North Wales & Chester Combined, Scotland No 1, Tyne & Wear Clerical, West Yorkshire Joyce StevensonScotland No 1, Capital, Edinburgh Dundee & Borders,  Glasgow & Motherwell, Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Meridian, Mid Wales, The Marches & Nth Staffs,  Midland Counties, Midland No 1, Northern Ireland Telecom, North Anglia, North East, North Wales & Chester Combined, South London, Surrey & North Hampshire, Tyne & Wear Clerical,  West Yorkshire Trish VollansWest Yorkshire, Capital, Edinburgh Dundee & Borders, Glasgow & Motherwell, Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Meridian, Mid Wales, The Marches & Nth Staffs,  Midland Counties, Midland No 1, Northern Ireland Telecom, North Anglia, North East, North Wales & Chester Combined, Scotland No 1,  Tyne & Wear Clerical 

The Timetable for the ballot is as follows:

Dispatch ballot papers        02 July 2024

Ballot closes                          23 July 2024  (14:00)

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

24LTB223 – Election of National Representative Positions – 2024 – Standing Orders Committee

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Organising and Recruitment – National Briefing 10^th July 2024

All Branches will be aware that we explained at Conference we would be holding a National Briefing to launch the NEC’s agreed new approach to Organising and Recruitment.

Therefore, the purpose of this LTB is to confirm that the National Briefing will take place on the 10^thJuly, at the TUC Conference facility in Great Russell Street, London.

The Briefing will commence at 11 a.m. and conclude no later than 2 p.m.

This is priority commitment and we are asking for two delegates from each CWU Branch to be in attendance.

Further information and an agenda for the meeting will be sent out in due course.

Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to the General Secretary’s department jdunn@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary                                         

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

Karen Rose  
Deputy General Secretary (T&FS) 

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (P)

222.24 Organising and Recruitment National Briefing 10th July 2024

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ELECTION OF NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE POSITIONS – 2024

• CWU Young Workers Committee

Further to LTB 176/24 dated 23^rd May 2024, at the close of nominations the following have been received:

CWU YOUNG WORKERS COMMITTEE – POSTAL CONSTITUENCYEASTERN REGIONNo Nominations ReceivedMIDLAND REGIONCallum HarperNottingham & District Amal*ELECTEDNORTH EAST REGIONNo Nominations Received  NORTH IRELAND REGIONNo Nominations Received  NORTH WEST REGIONCharlotte HooleGreater Mersey Amal*ELECTEDSCOTLAND REGIONKristopher McGuireGlasgow & District Amal*ELECTEDSOUTH EAST REGIONJake LawlorSouthdowns Weald & Rother*ELECTEDSOUTH WEST REGIONBallot RequiredElliot BoothWestern Counties BranchBenjamin SpencerWessex South Central WALES REGIONNo Nominations Received  LONDON REGIONNo Nominations Received  

CWU YOUNG WORKERS COMMITTEE – TELECOM & FINANCIAL SERVICES CONSTITUENCYEASTERN REGIONNo Nominations Received  MIDLAND REGIONAbdul ShaikhMidland No 1 Branch*ELECTEDNORTH EAST REGION Beckham Myatt-TurnerWest Yorkshire*ELECTEDNORTHERN IRELAND REGION Hollie GreggNorthern Ireland Telecom*ELECTEDNORTH WEST REGIONThomas Kirkwood-SweetGreater Mersey Amal*ELECTEDSCOTLAND REGIONBallot Required Shannon ConnorScotland No 1Louis O’ConnorGlasgow & Motherwell SOUTH EAST  REGIONNo Nominations Received  SOUTH WEST  REGIONJoshua BarclayGreat Western Branch*ELECTEDWALES REGIONMorgan PowellSouth Wales*ELECTEDLONDON REGIONBallot RequiredAntony EdwardsCapital BranchJames MasonSth Lnd Surrey & Nth Hampshire, Greater London CombinedUTAWBradley CorriganUTAW Branch*ELECTEDAlex CharilaouUTAW Branch*ELECTED

The ballot timetable is as follows:

Despatch ballot papers:            2^nd July 2024

Ballot closes:                              23^rd July 2024

Branches should note that ballot papers and biographical information will be emailed to the Branch email address and these papers will need to be printed off, signed accordingly and emailed back to elections@cwu.org by the closing date.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

24LTB221 – Election of National Representative Positions – 2024 – CWU Young Workers Committee

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Election of National Representative Positions – 2024

• CWU Retired Members Committee

Further to LTB 174/24 dated 23^rd May 2024, at the close of nominations the following were received:

2 Retired members living in WalesThomas HughesShropshire & Mid Wales*ElectedJoan MoxonNorth Wales & The Marches*Elected

2 Retired members living in Northern IrelandLawrence HustonNorthern Ireland Telecom, Plymouth & East Cornwall*ElectedMichael McAlindenNorthern Ireland West*Elected

2 Retired members living in ScotlandWilliam JohnstonScotland No 2*ElectedJames StewartGlasgow & District Amal, Plymouth & East Cornwall*Elected

6 Retired members living in EnglandDes CarneyNorth West No 1, Mersey, Plymouth & East Cornwall*ElectedJohn FarnanEastern No 6, Plymouth & East Cornwall*ElectedMick GoldsmithEastern No 5*ElectedBrendon O’BrienMidland No 1*ElectedSean RyanEast London Postal, Plymouth & East Cornwall*ElectedKen WardPlymouth & East Cornwall*Elected

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

TONY KEARNS,
SENIOR DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY

24LTB219 – Election of National Representative Positions – 2024 – CWU Retired Members Committee

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Rivus Fleet

We learned last Friday afternoon that Rivus Fleet has been placed into administration and that what remained of the business, which was largely the Metropolitan Police Contract, has been sold to the Met Police.  This will result in a Tupe of 165 staff including former Rivus Team members and those Tuped into Rivus from the company that previously had the Met Police contract.  Of this number, we know that we have some Rivus garages in London that will be involved in the Tupe and some staff in the Rivus support Centre in Birmingham.

Contact has been made with the Met Police and a meeting is scheduled for tomorrow.

The CWU were advised in the letter from the CEO of Rivus on Friday afternoon that Price, Waterhouse (PcW) have been appointed administrators.  They also provided the names of
three people who will act on their behalf.  We shall be seeking an early meeting with PcW.

The email from the Rivus CEO also had a letter attached advising us of the Tupe and offering discussions on any questions that we may have.  Our initial efforts to contact Rivus have not been successful but will continue.

A meeting is also planned with the union’s lawyers and further briefings or LTBs will be circulated as more information becomes available.

Yours sincerely

Allan Eldred
National Officer

LTB 218.2024 – Rivus Fleet

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POLITICAL FUND REVIEW BALLOT 2024

Branches and representatives will be aware that, in accordance with the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (as amended), the Communication Workers Union is required to hold a Political Fund Review Ballot at least every ten years, in order that the union can retain its political fund.

The ballot will give members the opportunity to vote on whether the union should be able to spend money for political purposes. The law says that the union must have a political fund to do this.

The Communication Workers Union will therefore be balloting members on whether or not to maintain the union’s political fund. The ballot will take place between 24 September and 15 October 2024. The ballot will be a postal ballot and voting papers will be sent directly to members.

Please note that in respect of Political Fund ballots members in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man are classified as ‘overseas’ members, are excluded from the ballot and will not be receiving a voting paper.

Civica Election Services will be acting as the Independent Scrutineer and will oversee the conduct of the ballot. They can be contacted at the following address:

Civica Election Services, Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London, N8 0NW.

A free copy of the rules which will be used to conduct the ballot are available to members on request from Tony Kearns, Senior Deputy General Secretary, CWU, 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1RX.

Please note that any member who has recently changed their home address should contact the Membership Records Department at membership@cwu.org or CWU HQ, 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1RX (FAO Membership Department) as soon as possible.

If you have any further questions, please contact jdunn@cwu.org

Yours Sincerely,

Dave Ward
General Secretary    

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary 

LTB 217-24 POLITICAL FUND REVIEW BALLOT 2024

TUC – Women Safety Reps Free Online Courses (July 2024): ‘An Introduction to the Role of Union Health and Safety Rep:’

The TUC have announced new, free to attend, online courses for women union members in July 2024.

The ‘free’ on-line, half-day, tutorial courses, entitled ‘An introduction to the role of union health and safety rep’ are aimed at encouraging women members to consider the role and becoming a Safety Rep and for those who are new Safety Reps.

Interested CWU Members are invited to register to attend.

This is a free, online introductory course, designed to introduce women members to the role, what it involves, and aims to make those attending have a better understanding of what a safety rep does, and why it’s such a vital role.

The course has been designed for women trade union members who have considered or have newly taken on the role of a Health and Safety Rep, and want to find out and know more about what the role involves and see if they wish to proceed to the full Health and Safety Reps’ staged training programme.

There will be an opportunity to discuss the different health and safety issues in the workplace. The course will consider how the safety rep role is approached and will cover the rights safety reps have in law, the concerns and questions women reps have about becoming a health and safety rep and detail the kinds of issues and campaigns that safety reps work on, and action they can take.

PLEASE NOTE: This is for women union members only because the TUC has identified that women members are under-represented in the role of health and safety reps.

This is an introductory ‘taster’ course which is not designed for experienced, established health and safety reps and this training will not qualify members as a safety rep. This new, free, online introductory course is primarily for any woman who might be considering becoming a trade union health and safety representative or are very new to the role and who are motivated by the prospect of keeping themselves and union member colleagues safe, by helping prevent workplace illness and injury.

There are two Courses:

TUC tutor Jennifer Forbes will run the classes. There are two dates to choose from:

Tuesday 16th July, 14:00 – 17:00:https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpdeupqjgjGNWRixi7VhxAZRpCMXjy5aBq#/registration

 Thursday 18th July, 10:00 – 13:00: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlcuGhpzwjGtfYlgqrThFw4Ue7JMZskPE2#/registration

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

24LTB215 TUC – Women Safety Reps Free Online Courses July 2024

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